DISC AMUSEMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A disc amusement device may include a central body and a peripheral body. The central body may have an upper convex surface that may be circular shaped and a lower convex surface that may be circular shaped, and the upper convex surface may be opposingly positioned relative to the lower convex surface. The peripheral body may have an annular shape, and the peripheral body may be coupled to the central body so that the peripheral body may be concentric with the central body. The peripheral body may include an interior convex wall and an exterior convex wall. The interior convex wall may be coupled to the central body, and the exterior convex wall may be distal to the central body. An upper valley may be formed between the interior convex wall and the upper convex surface, and a lower valley may be formed between the interior convex wall and the lower convex surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of amusement devices. More specifically, this patent specification relates to a flying disc amusement device such as which may be used to entertain humans, dogs, and other animals.

BACKGROUND

There are many commercially available flying disc toys and amusement devices, e.g., so called Frisbee discs. These devices are typically thrown such that their bodies rotate as they fly through the air providing a gyroscopic stabilizing action and a generally consistent flight path. A common use of these devices is for an animal owner, such as a dog owner, to throw the device and then have their animal retrieve it. This provides a fun pastime and exercise for both animal and owner. However, these existing devices can quickly become damaged from the frequent interaction with the animal's teeth, especially dog's teeth, resulting in the need for frequent replacement which can be time consuming and costly.

Therefore, a need exists for novel disc amusement devices. A further need exists for novel disc amusement devices which offer improved durability and longevity when used by pets and owners than existing devices. There is also a need for novel disc amusement devices which offer improved comfort to the animals which must interact with the devices by biting them and holding them between their teeth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disc amusement device may include a central body and a peripheral body. The central body may have an upper convex surface that may be circular shaped and a lower convex surface that may be circular shaped, and the upper convex surface may be opposingly positioned relative to the lower convex surface. The peripheral body may have an annular shape, and the peripheral body may be coupled to the central body so that the peripheral body may be concentric with the central body. The peripheral body may include an interior convex wall and an exterior convex wall. The interior convex wall may be coupled to the central body, and the exterior convex wall may be distal to the central body. An upper valley may be formed between the interior convex wall and the upper convex surface, and a lower valley may be formed between the interior convex wall and the lower convex surface.

Preferably, the peripheral body may be made from a resilient material and may comprise one or more air release apertures that may be in communication with one or more peripheral cavities. The resilient material along with the one or more air release apertures and one or more peripheral cavities may enable the peripheral body to be fully or partially collapsible to provide improved comfort to animals which interact with the device by biting them and holding them between their teeth

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of an example of a disc amusement device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example of a disc amusement device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of an example of a disc amusement device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a sectional, through line A-A shown in FIG. 3, elevation view of an example of a disc amusement device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates another sectional, through line A-A shown in FIG. 3, elevation view of an example of a disc amusement device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a further sectional, through line A-A shown in FIG. 3, elevation view of an example of a disc amusement device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts still a further sectional, through line A-A shown in FIG. 3, elevation view of an example of a disc amusement device according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” “front,” “side,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 20% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, more preferably within about 5% of the actual desired value and even more preferably within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

A new disc amusement device is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an example of a disc amusement device (“the device”) 100 according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a central body 11 and a peripheral body 21. The central body 11 may have an upper convex surface 12 that may be circular shaped and a lower convex surface 13 that may be circular shaped, and the upper convex surface 12 may be opposingly positioned relative to the lower convex surface 13. The peripheral body 21 may have an annular shape, and the peripheral body 21 may be coupled to the central body 11 so that the peripheral body 21 may be concentric with the central body 11. The peripheral body 21 may comprise an interior convex wall 22 and an exterior convex wall 23. The interior convex wall 22 may be coupled to the central body 11, and the exterior convex wall 23 may be distal to the central body 11. An upper valley 31 may be formed between the interior convex wall 22 and the upper convex surface 12, and a lower valley 31 may be formed between the interior convex wall 22 and the lower convex surface 13.

The device 100 may comprise a central body 11 which may form the central portion of the device 100. A central body 11 may be configured in any shape and size. In preferred embodiments, a central body 11 may comprise a convex disc shape by having an upper convex surface 12 that may be circular shaped and a lower convex surface 13 that may also be circular shaped, and the upper convex surface 12 may be opposingly positioned relative to the lower convex surface 13. The upper convex surface 12 and the lower convex surface 13 may both be convex in shape and oriented in opposing directions.

In preferred embodiments, the central body 11 may be substantially solid, such as by not having any voids or optionally by having less than ten percent void of material and/or gasses in its interior. In further embodiments, the central body 11 may not be substantially solid any may comprise one or more voids, cavities, pockets of gas, etc.

The central body 11 may be made from or may comprise any material or combination of materials. In preferred embodiments, the central body 11 may be made from or may comprise a plastic material, such as any type of thermoplastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone and polyvinyl chloride. In further embodiments, the central body 11 may be made from or comprise a flexible material such as natural and/or synthetic rubber material such as latex rubber, silicone foam, silicone rubber or polysiloxanes, rubber foam, urethane foam, plastic foam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, forms of the organic compound isoprene, Polyacrylate Rubber, Ethylene-acrylate Rubber, Polyester Urethane, flexible plastics, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), or any other flexible material including combinations of materials. In further embodiments, the central body 11 may be made from or comprise a flexible elastomer or resilient material such as silicone foam, silicone rubber, rubber foam, urethane foam, plastic foam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or elastomer materials such as elastic plastic, elastic silicone, elastic rubber, or any other suitable elastomer or resilient material including combinations of materials.

An upper convex surface 12 may be configured in any size and shape. In preferred embodiments, an upper convex surface 12 may comprise a circular convex shape that is convex relative to the center of the device 100 and convex relative to the lower convex surface 13. Preferably, all or a portion of the upper convex surface 12 may comprise an arc shape in cross section, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 5, in which an arc shape may be defined as a part or segment of the circumference of a circle. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the upper convex surface 12 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle B) may comprise between 10.0 and 40.0 degrees of a circle. In further embodiments, at least a portion of the upper convex surface 12 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle B) may comprise between 20.0 and 30.0 degrees of a circle. In further embodiments, at least a portion of the upper convex surface 12 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle B) may comprise substantially 25 degrees (25 degrees plus or minus ten percent) of a circle.

A lower convex surface 13 may be configured in any size and shape. In preferred embodiments, a lower convex surface 13 may comprise a circular convex shape that is convex relative to the center of the device 100 and convex relative to the upper convex surface 12. Preferably, all or a portion of the lower convex surface 13 may comprise an arc shape in cross section, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 5, in which an arc shape may be defined as a part or segment of the circumference of a circle. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the lower convex surface 13 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle F) may comprise between 10.0 and 40.0 degrees of a circle. In further embodiments, at least a portion of the lower convex surface 13 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle F) may comprise between 20.0 and 30.0 degrees of a circle. In further embodiments, at least a portion of the lower convex surface 13 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle F) may comprise substantially 25 degrees (25 degrees plus or minus ten percent) of a circle.

The device 100 may comprise a peripheral body 21 which may be coupled to the central body 11. The peripheral body 21 may have an annular shape which may extend around the central body 11. The peripheral body 21 may be coupled to the central body 11 so that the peripheral body 21 is concentric with the central body 11. The peripheral body 21 may comprise an interior convex wall 22 and an exterior convex wall 23. The interior convex wall 22 may be coupled to the central body 11, and the exterior convex wall 23 may be distal to the central body 11. The exterior convex wall 23 may comprise an exterior convex wall surface 29. The interior convex wall 22 may comprise an upper interior convex wall surface 31 and a lower interior convex wall surface 32. The upper interior convex wall surface 31 may be coupled directly or indirectly to the upper convex surface 12, and the lower interior convex wall surface 32 may be coupled directly or indirectly to the lower convex surface 13.

In preferred embodiments, the peripheral body 21 may comprise a peripheral cavity 24 which may be disposed between the interior convex wall 22 and exterior convex wall 23. Optionally, a peripheral cavity 24 may be annular in shape so as to extend completely around the peripheral body 21 so that the annular peripheral cavity 24 may surround the central body 11. Optionally, the peripheral body 21 may comprise two or more peripheral cavities 24 which may be disposed between the interior convex wall 22 and exterior convex wall 23. In preferred embodiments, the peripheral body 21 may be substantially hollow by having one or more peripheral cavities 24 so that the peripheral body 21 may be more than ninety percent void of material, such that the one or more peripheral cavities 24 occupy more that ninety percent of the volume of the peripheral body 21. For example, one or more walls 22, 23, 25, 26, of the peripheral body 21 may have a wall thickness of at least 72 to 73 millimeters so that the peripheral body 21 may be substantially hollow by having one or more peripheral cavities 24 so that the peripheral body 21 may be more than ninety percent void of material

The peripheral body 11 may be configured in any size and shape. In preferred embodiments, the peripheral body 11 may comprise an annular or ring disc shape. In further preferred embodiments, the peripheral body 11 may comprise an upper annular wall 25 and a lower annular wall 26, and the upper annular wall 25 and the lower annular wall 26 may each be coupled to the interior convex wall 22 and to the exterior convex wall 23 so that the upper annular wall 25 and the lower annular wall 26 may be positioned on opposite sides of the one or more peripheral cavities 24.

In some embodiments, the exterior convex wall 23 may comprise an exterior convex wall surface 29 that may form a portion of the exterior convex wall 23 that may be most distal to the central body 11. Preferably, all or a portion of the exterior convex wall surface 29 may comprise an arc shape in cross section, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 6, in which an arc shape may be defined as a part or segment of the circumference of a circle. In preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the exterior convex wall surface 29 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle C) may be substantially 180 degrees of a circle. In further embodiments, at least a portion of the exterior convex wall surface 29 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle C) may be between 170 and 190 degrees of a circle.

In some embodiments, the interior convex wall 22 may comprise an upper interior convex wall surface 31 and a lower interior convex wall surface 32. Preferably, an upper interior convex wall surface 31 and a lower interior convex wall surface 32 may be coupled to the central body 11.

In some embodiments, all or a portion of the upper interior convex wall surface 31 and/or lower interior convex wall surface 32 may have an arc shape in cross section as perhaps best shown by FIG. 6, in which an arc shape may be defined as a part or segment of the circumference of a circle. In preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the upper interior convex wall surface 31 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle D) may be between 80 and 90 degrees of a circle. In preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the lower interior convex wall surface 32 may have an arc shape in cross section, and the arc shape (shown with Angle E) may be between 80 and 90 degrees of a circle.

In some embodiments, the upper annular wall 25 may comprise an upper annular wall surface 27. Preferably, an upper annular wall surface 27 may be coupled to an exterior convex wall surface 29 and/or to an upper interior convex wall surface 31. In some embodiments, an upper annular wall surface 27 may be substantially planar or flat in shape while also being annular or ring shaped, e.g., configured with a flat ring shape.

In some embodiments, the lower annular wall 26 may comprise a lower annular wall surface 28. Preferably, a lower annular wall surface 28 may be coupled to an exterior convex wall surface 29 and/or to a lower interior convex wall surface 32. In some embodiments, a lower annular wall surface 28 may be substantially planar or flat in shape while also being annular or ring shaped, e.g., configured with a flat ring shape.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an upper annular wall surface 27 that may be substantially planar or flat in shape, a lower annular wall surface 28 that may be substantially planar or flat in shape, and the upper annular wall surface 27 may be substantially parallel to the lower annular wall surface 28.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an upper valley 41 formed between the upper interior convex wall surface 31 of the interior convex wall 22 and the upper convex surface 12 of the central body 11. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a lower valley 42 formed between the lower interior convex wall surface 32 of the interior convex wall 22 and the lower convex surface 13 of the central body 11. Preferably, an upper valley 41 and/or a lower valley 42 may encircle the central body 11.

The peripheral body 21 may be made from or may comprise any material or combination of materials. In preferred embodiments, the peripheral body 21 may be made from or may comprise a substantially resilient material to allow one or more of the interior convex wall 22, exterior convex wall 23, upper annular wall 25, and lower annular wall 26 to be flexible to allow slight deformation and resilient so as to return to their original shape after deformation. In some embodiments, a substantially resilient material which may be flexible to allow slight deformation and resilient so as to return to its original shape after deformation may include any type of thermoplastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone and polyvinyl chloride. In further embodiments, a substantially resilient material may comprise natural and/or synthetic rubber material such as latex rubber, silicone foam, silicone rubber or polysiloxanes, rubber foam, urethane foam, plastic foam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, forms of the organic compound isoprene, Polyacrylate Rubber, Ethylene-acrylate Rubber, Polyester Urethane, flexible plastics, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), or any other flexible material including combinations of materials. In further embodiments, a substantially resilient material may comprise a flexible elastomer or resilient material such as silicone foam, silicone rubber, rubber foam, urethane foam, plastic foam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or elastomer materials such as elastic plastic, elastic silicone, elastic rubber, or any other suitable elastomer or resilient material including combinations of materials.

In some embodiments, the peripheral body 21 may comprise one or more air release apertures 45 which may enable the communication of air into and out of a peripheral cavity 24. An air release aperture 45 may be configured in any size and shape, such as a generally cylindrical shape. Optionally, an interior convex wall 22, an exterior convex wall 23, an upper annular wall 25, and/or a lower annular wall 26 may comprise one or more air release apertures 45. In preferred embodiments, an exterior convex wall 23 may comprise one or more, such as a plurality of, air release apertures 45, and each air release aperture 45 may extend through the exterior convex wall 12 and into communication with a peripheral cavity 24.

Generally, the device 100 may comprise a disc shape so as to have a relatively flat circular shape. Preferably, the central body 11 may comprise a disc shape and the peripheral body 21 may comprise an annular disc shape which may be aligned to form the overall disc shape of the device 100. Referring to FIG. 7, the central body 11 may have a height dimension (CH) and a width dimension (CW), and the peripheral body 21 may have a height dimension (PH) and a width dimension (PW). In some embodiments, the height dimension (CH) of the central body 11 may be less than or equal to the height dimension (PH) of the peripheral body 21. In preferred embodiments, the height dimension (CH) of the central body 11 may be less than the height dimension (PH) of the peripheral body 21. In some embodiments, the central body 11 may have a width dimension (CW) and the peripheral body 21 may have a width dimension (PW), and the width dimension (CW) of the central body 11 may be between 28% and 38% of the width dimension (PW) of the peripheral body 21. In preferred embodiments, the width dimension (CW) of the central body 11 may be substantially 33% of the width dimension (PW) of the peripheral body 21.

In some embodiments, FIG. 7 shows an example of a device 100 drawn to scale. In preferred embodiments, the device 100 may have a symmetrical shape (excluding the one or more air release apertures 45) with respect to one or more symmetry axes. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 7, the device 100 may have a line-symmetrical shape (excluding the one or more air release apertures 45) with respect to a vertical symmetry axis 71 passing through a center 70 of the device 100 (such that the vertical symmetry axis 71 bisects the width dimension (CW) of the central body 11 and bisects the width dimension (PW) of the peripheral body 21). In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 7, the device 100 may have a line-symmetrical shape (excluding the one or more air release apertures 45) with respect to a horizontal symmetry axis 72 passing through a center 70 of the device 100 (such that the horizontal symmetry axis 72 bisects the height dimension (CH) of the central body 11 and bisects the height dimension (PH) of the peripheral body 21).

In preferred embodiments, Angle B (FIG. 5), Angle C (FIG. 6), Angle D (FIG. 6), Angle E (FIG. 6), and Angle F (FIG. 5) may comprise an angle of an arc of a circle, The “angle of an arc of a circle” refers to the central angle formed by the two radii connecting the endpoints of the arc, essentially describing how much of the circle the arc occupies; this angle is measured in degrees and is equal to the measure of the arc itself. Central angles are typically designated using either their exact angle (or radian) measurement or the Greek letter theta.

While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the device 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the central body 11, peripheral body 21, and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiberglass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A disc amusement device, the device comprising: a central body having an upper convex surface that is circular shaped and a lower convex surface that is circular shaped, wherein the upper convex surface is opposingly positioned relative to the lower convex surface;peripheral body having an annular shape, wherein the peripheral body is coupled to the central body so that the peripheral body is concentric with the central body, wherein the peripheral body comprises an interior convex wall and an exterior convex wall, wherein the interior convex wall is coupled to the central body, wherein the exterior convex wall is distal to the central body;an upper valley formed between the interior convex wall and the upper convex surface; anda lower valley formed between the interior convex wall and the lower convex surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the central body is substantially solid.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral body is substantially hollow.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral body comprises a substantially resilient material.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral body comprises a peripheral cavity.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the peripheral body comprises an air release aperture.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the exterior convex wall comprises an air release aperture.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the air release aperture that extends through the exterior convex wall and into communication with the peripheral cavity.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the peripheral body comprises an upper annular wall and a lower annular wall, wherein the upper annular wall and the lower annular wall are each coupled to the interior convex wall and to the exterior convex wall so that the upper annular wall and the lower annular wall are positioned on opposite sides of the peripheral cavity.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the upper annular wall comprises an upper annular wall surface that is planar in shape.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the lower annular wall comprises a lower annular wall surface that is planar in shape.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the upper annular wall comprises an upper annular wall surface that is planar in shape, wherein the lower annular wall comprises a lower annular wall surface that is planar in shape, and wherein the upper annular wall surface is substantially parallel to the lower annular wall surface.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the exterior convex wall comprises an exterior convex wall surface that has an arc shape in cross section, and wherein the arc shape is substantially 180 degrees of a circle.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the central body has a height dimension and the peripheral body has a height dimension, and wherein the height dimension of the central body is less than or equal to the height dimension of the peripheral body.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the central body has a height dimension and the peripheral body has a height dimension, and wherein the height dimension of the central body is less than the height dimension of the peripheral body.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the central body has a width dimension and the peripheral body has a width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the central body is between 28% and 38% of the width dimension of the peripheral body.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper convex surface has an arc shape in cross section, and wherein the arc shape is substantially 25 degrees of a circle.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the lower convex surface has an arc shape in cross section, and wherein the arc shape is substantially 25 degrees of a circle.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a line-symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical symmetry axis passing through a center of the device.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a line-symmetrical shape with respect to a horizontal symmetry axis passing through a center of the device.